The family of a young pilot killed in a light plane crash on the outskirts of Darwin yesterday has spoken about the "emptiness" they feel about losing him.

Philip McCarter said his son Darcy, 23, was working as a pilot in the Top End and was on board with a second pilot, aged 33 and also from Queensland, when the Cessna 210 crashed shortly after taking off from Darwin on Monday afternoon.

"Many of you will already know, but we lost out beautiful boy Darcy yesterday," Mr McCarter said.

"He was flying out of Darwin to Elcho Island, where he was based as a pilot serving the local community.

"As you can imagine we are all absolutely heartbroken and cannot believe this has happened. We have lost our darling boy and brother to Ella. We can't imagine our lives without him and love him with all our hearts.

"We love you. I am empty."

The plane was also carrying the body of a deceased Yolngu man, who the ABC understands was being taken back to Elcho Island, off the coast of East Arnhem Land, for a traditional funeral.

"This pilot has flown my family and I multiple times from Gove to Elcho and has always worked with a good heart and always respectful towards a lot of Yolngu people from West and East of Arnhem Land," she posted on Facebook.

There was an outpouring of grief and support on Mr McCarter's Facebook page in memory of his son.

"[As] one of the many pilots who operate in the NT out of Darwin, I pass on our sincere condolences. Every day these young pilots fly countless hours in the hope to one day be in the left-hand seat with an airline or similar," wrote Duncan Terry.

"We were devastated to hear of incident and loss of Darcy."

Chris van Elsen remembered Darcy as "an impressive young guy who always seemed to have a smile on his face and he made a point of saying hello every time he saw you", while Clare Dal Bon said he had "the kindest heart and his happiness was infectious".

'We desperately want to know what happened'

Air Frontier owner Geoff Hunt said everyone connected with the business was "absolutely shocked by this tragedy" and that with the loss of "two highly regarded colleagues", aero operations had been immediately suspended.

"We are deeply saddened by yesterday's tragic event, with the loss of two precious lives," he said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

"Everyone connected with Air Frontier is absolutely devastated by what has happened and our hearts and love go to the families of our two pilots."

He said Air Frontier had been in contact with the families to offered them support.

"They were experienced, professional pilots and delightful young men I am proud to call colleagues," he said.

"The aircraft was carrying the remains of a respected Yolngu man to his ancestral burial place. We express our deepest apologies and heartfelt sympathies to the man's relatives for the additional grief this has created."